Good morning, Mazi crew - this week marks 24 years since September 11th, a day etched into history and into the heart of our Greek-American community. We pause to honor the lives lost and the resilience shown, even as we look ahead to the stories shaping Greece and the diaspora today. From Athens rolling out fresh tax relief to Washington pressing on Cyprus, and from shipping forums to art shows in SoHo, the headlines are packed tighter than a ferry to Mykonos in August. Closer to home, Ethnikos Kirikas has officially launched its brand new website (with The National Herald next in line for a digital glow-up), proving that 110 years in, we’re only getting started. This edition of Mazi for a Minute is proudly sponsored by Divani Collection Hotels, Ethnikos Kirikas/The National Herald, North Shore Farms, Kofinas Fertility Group, and Limani Restaurant.
Respectfully,
Eraklis A. Diamataris |
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| 💶 Mitsotakis Promises Annual Surplus Returns
Global and U.S. Market Pulse | | |
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| ⛽ Greece Eyes U.S. Energy Giants for Crete Exploration
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America | | |
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| 🇨🇾 Greek-American Lawmakers Press for Release of Cypriots
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America | | |
| Bi-Partisan: Members of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus—Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Nicole Malliotakis, Dina Titus, and Chris Pappas—have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intervene in the detention of five Greek Cypriots in Turkish-occupied Cyprus. The lawmakers warned the arrests undermine efforts toward a comprehensive reunification settlement on the island. |
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| 🌍 Greek & Cypriot Voices at UN Women’s Assembly
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America | | |
| Empowerment: At the inaugural Creative Women Platform assembly at the United Nations, three Greek/Cypriot women—Laura Neroulias Bisiotis, Maria Markou, and Paola Hadjialambri—will join global leaders to spotlight women’s role in shaping a more empowered and united future. From law and business to culture and the arts, their careers reflect the resilience, creativity, and vision that the gathering seeks to amplify. |
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| ⚡ U.S. & Greece Deepen Energy Ties
Insights from Greece, Cyprus and America | | |
| Cooperation: U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Athens, focusing on LNG exports and shipbuilding cooperation as part of America’s energy strategy. Talks also highlighted Greece’s role in the EU trade deal and its position as a counterbalance to China’s maritime influence. |
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| 🎨 Scrolls of Time in SoHo
Greek & American Business Highlights | | |
| A Different Type of Scrolling: Greek artist Venia Bechraki is showcasing large-scale scroll paintings at the Elements in Harmony exhibition in New York’s SoHo, running September 10–30. Inspired by Chinese landscape painting and calligraphy, her works invite viewers into immersive sensory journeys that unfold across rhythm, motion, and space. |
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| 🗳️ Christine Chysostom Kushner Enters Wake County Race
Greek & American Business Highlights | | |
| Hard Launch: Greek-American Christine Chysostom Kushner, daughter of a Greek Orthodox priest and longtime public servant, has launched her campaign for the Wake County Board of Commissioners. A former school board member and advocate for education and health care, she hopes to bring her decades of experience to one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing counties. |
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| 🍝 Greek Chefs Bring Affordable Pasta to NYC
Greek & American Business Highlights | | |
| Getting to Know Them: Pasta Lab, a new Lower East Side eatery founded by Greeks Tasos Almpanis, Ioannis Choumis, and Vagelis Tamanas, is winning over New Yorkers with handmade pasta dishes priced far below upscale competitors. Among the five signature offerings is a standout moussaka-inspired pasta, blending Greek tradition with Italian flair. |
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| 💼 UCLA SNF Center Adds Eleni Hioureas to Advisory Board
Greek & American Business Highlights | | |
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| 🏛️ Georgaki & Partners Guides Diaspora Back to Greece
Greek & American Business Highlights | | |
| Reconnecting to the Motherland: Athens-based Georgaki & Partners has become a trusted advisor for Greek-Americans navigating residency, real estate, and business investment in Greece. From securing Golden Visas to leveraging favorable tax regimes, the firm helps diaspora families turn their return into both a financial strategy and a reconnection with heritage. |
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| 🌐 Ethnikos Kirikas Unveils Redesigned Website Diaspora in Focus | | |
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| 📊 Faith, Finances and a $25M Regret Diaspora in Focus | | |
| The Story Continues: The Archdiocese and the parish council of St. Demetrios in Astoria met on September 9 in a positive atmosphere to discuss the future of the school and parish. While the Archdiocese pledged support, it revealed serious financial problems, including half a million dollars in unpaid bills, a $25 million grant rejection, and the need for outside consultants to stabilize the community. |
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| 🐺 Astoria Bar Sparks Backlash Over Nazi-Linked Name Diaspora in Focus | | |
| Try Using Google: The newly opened Wolf’s Lair sports bar in Astoria has drawn outrage for sharing its name with Hitler’s World War II headquarters, leaving neighbors calling the choice “distasteful.” Owners Chris Kouvaros and Tom Galanis, both Greek-Americans, insist they were unaware of the Nazi connection and are weighing whether to rename the establishment. |
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| 💙 Prayers for Sophia after Minneapolis Tragedy Diaspora in Focus | | |
| Praying for Her: Twelve-year-old Greek-American Sophia Forchas remains in intensive care after being critically injured in the Aug. 27 church shooting that killed two students and wounded 21 others. Doctors report “rays of hope” as she shows small signs of responsiveness, while her family and global community continue to rally in prayer and support. |
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| 📰 Missing Greek-American Teen Found Safe on Long Island Diaspora in Focus | | |
| A Happy Ending: Seventeen-year-old Yanni Damianakis, reported missing from a group home in Suffolk County, was located in East Moriches after nearly a week. Though initially found unconscious and hospitalized, his family later confirmed he is safe and thanked the public for their support. |
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| ✡️ Faith Leaders Unite Against Hate Diaspora in Focus | | |
| 1 Million Strong: Over one million worshippers across the U.S. joined Stand Up Sunday, an interfaith effort led by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. From St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, houses of worship stood shoulder to shoulder in a call to end antisemitism and all faith-based violence. |
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| 🇺🇳 Greece’s New UN Envoy Visits TNH Diaspora in Focus | | |
| Wishing Her Luck: Ambassador Aglaia Balta, Greece’s new Permanent Representative to the UN, visited The National Herald offices, meeting with Co-Publisher Eraklis Diamataris and Advisor Antonis H. Diamataris. Returning to New York after serving as Consul General from 2008–2012, she begins her post as Greece holds a non-permanent UN Security Council seat during a turbulent global moment. |
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| 🇬🇷 Limnos Youth Revive the Paniyiri Spirit Diaspora in Focus | | |
| Time to Rewind: Summer 2025 saw the return of village festivals across Greece, with Limnos’ young people embracing paniyiria as the new nightlife after storms shuttered local clubs. From souvlakia and Limnian wine to traditional dances lasting until dawn, the island’s πλατεία once again pulsed with music, family, and celebration. |
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| 📻 Catsimatidis Couple Celebrated On and Off Fifth Avenue Diaspora in Focus | | |
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| 🇺🇸 Heritage America Brings Greek-Americans to Washington Diaspora in Focus | | |
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| 🙏 Cherry Hill Welcomes New Presiding Priest | | |
| Axios!: The St. Thomas community in Cherry Hill, NJ, joyfully received Fr. Georgios Oikonomou as its new Proistamenos on September 7, alongside Presvytera Anna and their five children. Marking both the new Ecclesiastical year and a new chapter for the parish, the day was filled with heartfelt welcomes, gifts, and a resounding chorus of “AXIOS.” |
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| 🦈 Shark Attack Claims Life of Greek-Australian Near Sydney Diaspora in Focus | | |
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| 📚 Greek Schools Kick Off Year with Celebrations Diaspora in Focus | | |
| Kali Xronia!: Hellenic Classical Charter Schools launched the 2025–26 year with milestones in Park Slope (20th anniversary as a National Blue Ribbon School) and Staten Island (7th year of classes), continuing their mission rooted in Greek language and culture. In Union, NJ, Metropolitan Apostolos blessed St. Demetrios’ Greek School as it began its academic year alongside the parish’s 48th Annual Festival, uniting education, tradition, and community celebration. |
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| 🎬 Greeks of South America on the Big Screen
Tastes and Traditions Explored | | |
| The Arts: Filmmaker and author Billy Cotsis’ latest documentary highlights Greek communities across seven Latin American countries, showcasing their language, churches, and cultural traditions. Premiering at the 30th Sydney Greek Film Festival this October, the film blends vibrant landscapes with stories of Hellenes preserving identity far from home. |
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| 🕯 Remembering September 11th
Tastes and Traditions Explored | | |
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| 🍅 Gemista: Greece's Late Summer Classic
Tastes and Traditions Explored | | |
| Recipe of the Week: From spanakopita scrambled eggs with feta to baked omelettes with zucchini and herbs, Greek flavors make mornings healthier and more exciting. For a sweet option, Greek yogurt waffles drizzled with honey bring protein and tradition to the breakfast table. |
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| 🏛️ Britons Back Return of Parthenon Marbles
Tastes and Traditions Explored | | |
| Time to Come Home: A new poll shows a clear majority of Britons support sending the Parthenon Marbles back to Greece, with 75% favoring their return during the British Museum’s upcoming renovation. The findings reveal growing cross-party consensus that the treasures, taken by Lord Elgin over 200 years ago, belong in Athens. |
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| ⛪ Kalavryta Abbot Arrested in Relics Scandal
Snapshots of Change | | |
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| ✈️ Greek Government Airlifts Archbishop Damianos from Sinai
Snapshots of Change | | |
| Intervention: In a move to prevent his possible arrest by Egyptian authorities, Archbishop Damianos of Sinai was flown to Athens on a special Aegean Airlines flight escorted by a Greek delegation. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem has since dismissed a statement attributed to him, urging the Sinai Brotherhood to elect a new abbot in line with tradition. |
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| 🤖 Greece Partners with OpenAI for Education and Business
Snapshots of Change | | |
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| 🛒 Greeks Flock to Chinese Shopping Apps
Snapshots of Change | | |
| Unstoppable: Temu and Shein now account for nearly 40% of Greece’s e-commerce turnover, with annual sales between €529–627 million in 2025. Despite concerns over quality and labor practices, user numbers continue to climb, outpacing rivals like AliExpress. |
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| ⚖️ Tsipras Weighs New Party amid Left’s Decline
Snapshots of Change | | |
| Politics: Reports suggest former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is considering launching a new center-left party in 2026 as SYRIZA fades from the political stage. While his advisors deny firm plans, Tsipras has hinted at missing active politics and may try to reclaim space lost to PASOK and the fractured left. |
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| 🇵🇸 Mitsotakis: Greece Will Recognize Palestine at the Right Time
Snapshots of Change | | |
| Backing Israel: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece’s strong ties with Israel but said Athens will eventually recognize a Palestinian state when it believes the timing best supports a two-state solution. He condemned the humanitarian toll in Gaza while noting the war is slowing some Greece-Israel defense deals, including missile systems and co-production plans worth €700 million. |
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| 👶 Baby Bonuses Fail to Halt Greece’s Population Decline
Snapshots of Change | | |
| Getting Tough: Despite incentives of up to €3,500 for larger families and monthly child allowances, Greece continues to see twice as many deaths as births each year. Rising living costs, low wages, and expensive childbirth options remain key barriers for young couples. |
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| 🎲 Officials Under Probe for Laundering Money Through Betting
Snapshots of Change | | |
| A Shift: Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority is investigating around 200 people, including senior ministry officials, for allegedly funneling illicit cash through betting accounts. The scheme involved agents depositing large sums into gambling platforms, later withdrawn as “winnings” to disguise the funds’ true origin. |
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| 🌋 Nisyros Geopark Joins UNESCO’s Global Network Expanding Horizons | | |
| It's Official: The volcanic island of Nisyros and its surrounding islets have earned a coveted spot in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, marking an international recognition of their rare geological and cultural wealth. Local leaders say the designation brings both responsibility and opportunity, ensuring protection of the island’s natural heritage while opening new paths for sustainable development. |
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| 🚱 Greek Islands Struggle with Sewage amid Tourist Boom Expanding Horizons | | |
| The Good Comes with the Bad: Patmos, Mykonos, and Zakynthos are facing sewage overflows and failing infrastructure as record tourism overwhelms outdated systems. Residents and visitors have reported contaminated water, untreated effluent near beaches, and wastewater flooding streets, raising health and environmental concerns. |
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| 🛫 Greece’s Airports to Get Major Upgrades after Delays Expanding Horizons | | |
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🚘 GOINGS-ON: SEPTEMBER 11TH - 21ST
Spotlighting some upcoming community events: |
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- FITCHBURG, MA – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts its annual Greek Festival (September 12-13)
- MANCHESTER, NH – St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral hosts its 46th Anniversary Glendi Greek Festival (September 12-14)
- ONLINE – Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) presents ‘Renovating My Life, with Aristotle as My Architect’ by Fenia Tsanaka on Zoom (September13)
- SPRINGFIELD, MA – Greek Comedy Show featuring Basile the Comedian and JL Entertainment spinning American and Greek hits to benefit the St. George Orthodox Cathedral of Western Massachusetts will be held at the Greek Cultural Center (September 13)
- ANDOVER, MA – Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church hosts its annual Greek Festival (September 13-14)
- BROCKTON, MA – Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church hosts its annual Greek Food Festival (September 18-21)
- BOSTON, MA – Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England hosts its annual Greek Festival (September 19-21)
- BAYSIDE, NY – Kaleidoscopic Connections: Reconnecting Nature and Culture with artist Peter Gerakaris (September 20)
- PISCATAWAY, NJ – The 4th Nikos Mouyiaris Memorial Lecture, titled ‘Cyprus: From Problem to Solution, The Evolution of U.S.-Cyprus Ties in the Last 50 Years & the Contributions of the Hellenic-American Community’, will be presented by President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides at The Community Center of St. George Greek Orthodox Church (September 21)
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